Artificial limb



Feb. 10, 1931.

A. PECORELLA ARTIFICIAL LIMB' Original Filed g- 29, 192 2 sheetS-fiheet l Feb. 10,1931. PEQRELLA 1,792,183

ARTIFICIAL LIMB Original Filed Aug. 29, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 JIM 4 gwuentoz Patented Feb. 10, 1931' Miran i a .ALBERTO rnconnnra, or BUFFALO, New YORK arrrrcian LIMB iApplicati on filed August 29, 1927, Serial It'd-216,023. Renewed bece'mberfl,1929.

This inventionrelates to an artificial limb and more particularly to a limb which is designed to replace the wrist and hand of a person.

'5 The principal object of thisinvention is to provide sucha limb which-is simple and durable 1n construction and operation, is insection through the thumb. Figure 4: is a perspective view of a portion of the thumb adjusting mechanism. I

, Similar reference numerals refer to like parts in each-ofzthe severalviews. ln its general organization, this invention comprises four jointed fingers and athumb pivotally mounted on a metal palm spring means for closing fingers, a cord operating to extend said fingers, a ratchet mechanism for holding the thumb in three different positions and means for releasingsaid ratchet mechanism. i j i a The several parts of the artificial limb are composed of a rear sectionlOwhich is shaped to conform to the shape of the back of the hand ofa person and carries'the articulated fingers, and a front section 11 which is shaped person and carries the thumb 12. These two sections 10 and 1 1 are joined by a spindle 13 which is arranged perpendicularly to the plane of the palm and is threaded at its opposite'ends, nutslt being applied to the ends of this spindle and forming a tie bolt which holds the sections together. The nuts are preferably sunk'below the surface of the palm so that the palm presentsasmooth surface. To maintain thesectio'ns in their proper Figure 3 is'a fragmentary longitudinal preferably made of metal and include a palm to conform to the inner side of thehand of a relative positiomthe sides 15,16 of the rear palm section 10 are preferably provided on their inner-sides with flanges 1 7 which'engage; the inner'sides offthe front orinner palm section 11; and prevent its. lateral displacement. V j I I Partitions 18 are formed on the innerfside of the rear palm section 10 atthe upper end thereof and together with the sides 15, 16 of this section, form the supports for the jointed 0 fingers which are arranged between these partitions Inasmuch as all of the fingers and the linkage for operating the same are substantially identical in construction, the

following description of one will apply to 5 each of the fingers.

The numeral 19 represents a hollow inner 'or rear finger section which is pivotallyconnected at its inner or rear end with thepalm soas to be capable of swinginginwardly and 7 outwardly relative thereto, this pivotal connection being preferably effected by a pivot rod 20 extending through the inner parts of the several finger sections and supported throughout its length by the sides 15 and 16 of the rear palm section and the partitions 18, v

therebetween. vThis rodis preferably held in place by counter sunk nuts 21 so as to be readily removable.

The numeral 22 represents the outer finger section of each finger and preferably con.- forms in shape to thesecond and third finger section of ahand. This'outer or front fingersection is mounted on. a transverse pin23, which is arranged adjacent the knuckle of the fingers sot-hat this outerfinger' sect-ion can be folded outwardly and inwardly relative to the inner finger sectionand the palm.

The knuckle formed by the two finger sec-v V tions is formed to simulate the knuckle of a hand in all positions of the fingers. Above and in front of the'pm 2 connectf ing the two finger sections, isa second trans;-

verse pin 24 to which is pivotally secured a link 25. The other end of this link is pivot- V ally connected with a triangular anchoringmember 26 which'is secured to the pivot rod 20 and is confined between the sides ofthe finger. One face of this triangular-member bears against the inner face ofthe palm and 'TTIoFjFTICE ithis thereby held against turning. The

jects towards the wheel.

length of the several links 25 is proportioned to secure a natural opening and closing of the hand when they are simultaneously forced upwardly or downwardly.

Within the palm is arranged a transverse bar 27 to which are pivotally connected four links'28 e'ach of which pivotallyconnects at 1ts upper end with the central part of the corresponding link 25. t, therefore, follows that when this transversejbar .ismoved upwardly 'or downwardl a corresponding opening and closing movement of the fingers is effected. p 7

Theopenlng and closing of "the'iingersis effected by means which preferably are constructed as followsi Rotatably mounted on the spindle 13 and retained in position thereon'by a fixed collar 29 and an adjustable collar 30, is a sleeve 31 which carries a cam 32 and a wheel 33, these members being secured to the sleeve in any sultable manner.

is arranged'between the cam and the wheel with its legs straddling the sleeve 31, the

sleeve being preferably provided with a re;

duced portion 36 so as to properly guide the bifurcated bar in its movement. The ivotal connection between the bifurcated bar and the transverse bar 27 is preferably a 11111V81'' sal connection such as a ball and socket connection 58 so as to permit nee movement of the parts.

Qn its front side this bifurcated bar carrles two rollers 37 and 38 which ongage oppositesides .of the cam rim 34 of the ramsothat upon oscillating the cam the bifurcated bar 35 is moved up or down, thereby effecting a corresponding movement of the transverse bar 27 and articulatinmthe fin ers.

lfhe fingers are normally held in their closed position by a coil spring 39 which is arranged in front of the cam, its inner end being'fixed tothe spindle 13 in anysuitablemanner, and Its outer end being-secured to a pin 40 on the sallentpart'of the cam. The sprlng 39 tends constantly to turn said cain to the position 1n which its reced ng portion engages the list closed. J v 7 To move the cam against the resistance of the spring andthereby cause the camrim to engage the upper roller 37 and open the fingers, the wheel 33 is provided with -a channeled rim onwhich a cord 41 is adapted to be wound. This cord mayjbe secured to V wheel in any suitable manner, and is wound upon the wheel by the spring whenever the cord is released and the fingers apermltted to close. Therefore, when ll'rlS desired to open the fingers for grasping an 34 which proi The latch is is pivotally supported at its front end on the object, the cord is drawn outwardly, the open fingers placed aboutthe object and the cord released, thereby permitting the fingers, under the influence of the cam and spring to grasp the object. This cord may be attached to a harness (not shown) by which movement is controlled through movement of the shoulders of'the wearerin a manner well known in the art.

The 'hollow thumb 12 is mounted on a pin 42 .onthe front palm section and is preferably arranged to swing in the same plane and contact with the end of the index finger so that objects such as coins, pins etc., can be readily picked up. lVithin thebase portion of the thumb is arranged a transverse pin 43 which carries a sleeve 44.. To this sleeve is secureda latch 45 which projects through an opening 46 in thefront palm section over pin or catch 47 mounted on this palm sec-- 'tion. This latch is'provided with two recesses 48 and 49 which are'disposed so as to" the thumb will open, a depending linger or tail piece 50 is secured to the sleeve 44and 1s pressed downwardlyl and outwardly .by a spring 51. Thisspring is secured to the innor sideof the front palm section by a rivet 52 or otherwise, is coiled about the pivot pin 42 which pivotally supports the thumb and the free end of this spring bears against:

the rear side of the tail piece 50. By this means, a single spring is employed to hold the latch against the catch and also to move the thumb outwardlywhen the latch is released. V j i released bya lever 53 which adjustable collar 30 in front of thecoil spring 39 I and projects outwardly through a slot 54 provided in the "thumb side of the rearpalm section 10. This lever is provided with a knob 55 for convenient manipulation and lower roller 38 and thereby tends to keep the,

is-arranged under the rear or outerend of the latch 45 so that upon raising this'lever, the

i is durable, readily and accurately performs its, functions, and is .not liable to get out of order with constant use. y V 'Iclaim as my invention: 1. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on saidpalm, a transversebar arranged in said palm, rigid links pivotally connecting said bar andfingers whereby upon mov ng sald bar lengthwise of said palm saidfingers are articulated, a rigid guided member pivotally secured to the centralpart of said 'bar,cam means for moving said rigid guided member to reciprocate said bar,,spring means yieldingly holding said cam means in one extreme position and means for moving saidjcam means in the opposite direction.

2. An artificial limb comprising a palm,

.a'plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said palm, a transverse bararranged in said palm, links pivotallyconnecting said bar and fingers whereby upon moving sald bar "said fingers are articulated, a member pivotally secured to the centralpart of said bar,

means providing opposed shoulders on one side ofsaid member, a cam arranged 1n said palm and including a cam rim arranged between said shoulders whereby upon oscillating said cam, said member is actuated to articulate said fingers, a spring cooperating with said cam to yieldingly hold it-in one'extreme position and means for. moving said cam againstthe resistance of said'spring.

3. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a

- plurality of fingers-pivotally mounted on said palm, a transverse bar arranged in said palm, links pivotally connecting said barand fingers whereby upon moving said bar, said fingers are articulated, a longitudinally movable bar pivotally secured to the central part of said transverse bar, means for guiding said bar, a pair of rollers provided on said bar, a cam member arranged in said palm and including a cam rim arranged between said rollers whereby upon oscillating said cam,

- said longitudinally movable bar is actuated said fingers are articulated, a spindle arranged in said palm perpendicularly to the 1 plane thereof, a longitudinally movable bar pivotally secured to the central part of'said,

transverse bar and providedwith'a slot receiving said spindle, a cam mounted on said spindle and cooperating with said longitudinally movable bar to. articulate said fingers, a spring carried by said spindleand yieldingly holding said cam in one position, and

means for moving said cam against-theresistance of said spring. I

5. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said palm, a transverse bar arranged in said palm, links pivotally connecting s'aid bar and fingers whereby, upon moving said bar, said fingers are articulated, .a'spindle arranged in said palm perpendicularly to the plane thereof,a longitudinally movable bar, pivotally secured to the central part or said transverse bar andprovided with a slot receiving 'said" spindle, :a sleeve mounted on said spindle, a cam fixed on {said sleeve and cooperating with said longitudinally, may

able bar to articulate said fingers, a-coiled spring carried by said-shaft and secured at one end to said cam to vyieldingly hold said cam in onepositionandmeans carried by said shaft for moving saidcam againstthe resist-' zance ofsaid spring. r

6. An artificial limbcomprising a palm, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted onsaid palm, a transverse bar. arranged in said palm, links pivotally connecting said bar and fingers whereby upon moving said bar,-said fingers are articulated, a spindle arranged in said palm perpendicularly to the plane'thera p of, a longitudinally movable bar pivotally secured to the central part of saidtransverse bar and provided with a slot' receivlng. said sp1ndle,-a sleeve mounted on said spindle, a

cam fixed on said sleeve and cooperating with said longitudinally.movable bar toia rticulate said fingers,'a coiled spring, carried'bysai d shaft and'secured atone end to saidcam to yieldingly hold said cam in one position and means carried by said shaft for-moving said cam against the resistance of said spring, comprising a wheel fixed to said sleeve, and a cord secured to said wheel andadapted to be I wound on the periphery thereof, 1

7. An artificial limb comprising a palm, a plurality of fingers pivotally mounted on said palm, a transverse bar arranged insaidpalm, links pivotally connecting said bar and fingers whereby upon moving said bar, said'fingers are articulated, a spindle mounted in said palm perpendicularly to the plane the'reof, a sleeve on said spindle, said sleeve being formed to provide a reduced portion, a; longitudi-' nally movable" bar pivotally secured to the 7 central part of said transverse bar. and

provided with a slot. receiving the reduced 12o portionofsaid sleeve, a'camlfixed to said sleeve'and cooperatingvwith said'longitudina'l 1y movable barto :articulate said fingers, a

I coiled spring secured at one endto said'spindle'and at its other end to said cam and yieldingly holding said cam in one position, a wheel fixed to said sleeve, and a cord secured to said wheel and adapted to bewound on the periphery thereof whereby said cam may be turned against the resistance of said spring.

8. An'artificiallimb comprising a palm, a

plurality of fingers pivotallyimounted on said palm, a transverse bar-arranged insaid palm, links pivotally connecting said fingers and bar whereby upon moving said bar, said fingers are articulate-d, a spindle mounted in said palm perpendicularly to the plane there oi, a sleeve on said spindle, a bifurcated bar pivotally secured'to the central part of said transversebar and straddling said sleeve, opposed shoulders on said bifurcated bar, a cam fixed to said sleeve and having a cam rim interposed between said shoulders whereby upon oscillating said cam said bifurcated bar is moved to articulatesaid fingers, a coiled spring fixed to saidspindle and secured at its outer end tosaid cam and yieldingly holding said cam in one extreme position, a wheel fixed to said sleeve'and a cord secured to said wheel and adapted to be wound=on the periphery thereof whereby said cam may be moved against the resistance of said spring.

9. In an artificial limb, a palm, a thumb pivotally secured to said palm, means for holding said thumb in difier'ent positions, and a single spring cooperating with said thumb and holding means to hold said holding means in operativeposition and to yieldingly hold said thumb inan outwardly extended position.

'10. In an artificial limb, palm, a thumb pivotally secured to said palm, latch means for holdingsaid thumb indifierent positions relative to said palm, and a single'spring bearing agalnst sa1d latch means and y1eld-V ingly holding it 1n operative position and exerting an outward pressure on. said thumb, to yieldingly hold said thumb in an outwardly extended position.

11. In an artificial limb, a palm, a thumb pivotally mounted on said palm, a latch pivotally mounted on said thumb and having a notch,a catch on said palm adaptedto engage the notch in said latch, a finger operatively connectedwith said'latch and a spring seengaged by said latch, a depending finger wardly extending latch fixedv to said sleeve a catch on saidpalm engaged by said latch,

a'depending finger fixed to said sleeve anda spring secured to said palm and exerting an outward pressure against said finger.

14. In an artificial limb, a palm, a plurality of fingerspivotally mounted on said-palm, a spindle arrangedin said palm perpendicnlarly to the plane thereof, means for articulating said fingers carried by: said spindle, a thumb pivotally secured to said palm, a latch'pivotally mountedon said thumb, a

catchrmounted onsaidpalm and engaged by said latch, spring means yieldingly-hol-ding said latch against saidcatch andyieldingly holding said thumb in its. outwardly I extended position and means for releasing said latch comprising a lever pivotally secured to said spindle and adapted to engage and irelease said latch.

1 15;. An artificial I hand comprisinga palm,

a plu'ralityot fingers pivotally mountedcon saidpalm, a'transverse floating bar arranged lnsaid palm,r1g1d"l1nks pivotally connecting said bar and fingers whereby upon; m'ovlng said bar said fingers are articulated, a rigid member guide-d for movement longitudinally of said palm,1a pivotal connection between thecenter'of said bar'and said guided member, spring-means for yieldingly holding said guided member'in one extreme of its movement and means for moving said guided member in the opposite direction.

In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature.

-. ALBERTO, PECORELLA.

operativelyc'onnected with said latch, and a 5 spring secured to said palm and bearing against said pivot pin and finger, thereby to yieldingly hold said latch in engagement with said catch and to exert an outward pressure against said thumb.

13. In an artificial limb, a palm, athumb pivoted on said palm, a spindle mounted in said thumb; a sleeve on said spindle, an in- Y 

